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Features

Top 5: Things I Wish I Knew Before Vanderbilt Formal Recruitment

January 24, 2023 by Abbey Woods

Listen, we all want to find our forever families in Greek Life. This Top 5 list will help give you more insight on the (intimidating) process!

#5: No, it’s not like ‘Bama Rush

I know all the tiktoks will make it seem otherwise, but Vandy’s rush is nowhere near as intimidating as larger SEC schools like Ole Miss or ‘Bama. There’s no judgements on your appearance or how much money you spent over recruitment. Vanderbilt doesn’t use words like “pledges” or “rush” anymore. Instead, you’ll be a potential new member attending formal recruitment. Greek Life is to find a family, not to exclude others!

#4: You don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe

This would have saved me so much time, energy, and stress to know! So recruitment is only two weekends long, and you’ll be wearing jeans half the time. Days one and two are spent wearing jeans, sneakers, and a Vandy t-shirt. Days three and four are get a little more formal, with sundresses and sweater dresses. By the time bid day rolls around, you’ll be back in jeans! However, formal recruitment is in the winter, so remember to layer and grab your coat.

#3: You will inevitably be dropped from some houses… and that’s okay!

Unfortunately, the process includes you having to drop houses, and houses having to drop you. On day one (display round), you will start out with going to nine houses. Day two (philanthropy round) you can have a MAXIMUM of seven houses. However, don’t worry if you have less than seven. I wish I was told that the average number of houses people receive on day two is 4 to 5. On day three (sisterhood round) you will be able to see a MAXIMUM of five houses, but don’t be worried if you have 3 to 4. Finally, on your last day, preference round, you can only see two houses. When houses drop you, because they have to, try to think about the houses that invited you back, rather than the ones that didn’t. Remember, the houses the invited you back chose your name out of their list of hundreds of girls to learn more about YOU!

#2: Come into recruitment with an open mind

All throughout recruitment we were told that if we were looking for a community of sisterhood, the panhellenic committee could guarantee we’d find it. But if we were looking for membership in a specific house, they could not guarantee we would find that. There will be houses that your friends will like that you won’t vibe with, and vise versa. That is completely normal, so please don’t base your preference off of your friend’s decision. And if you’re the only one in your friend group that is rushing, that’s even better. You won’t be biased towards anyone else’s pick!

#1: You’re finding the house that fits you, not trying to make yourself fit a certain house.

Look, there’s a reason Vanderbilt has nine different sorority houses. If every single house was the same, there would only be one house on campus. So if you feel yourself trying to change or act a certain way in one house, then that house isn’t for you. No hard feelings. It’s all about where you truly see yourself. During my recruitment I was told that sorority houses are kind of like shoes: there are some that are cute, but they may not fit you. You’re looking for the right fit! So, trust the process.

Hopefully this guide eases any nerves you may have about joining Greek Life. If all else fails, just be yourself! Good luck! –Abbey

#VanderbiltRush #VanderbiltGreekLife #Vandy #Vanderbilt #Rush

Filed Under: Features

MCL Quiz: Honestly answer these questions and we’ll tell you what song will describe your Spring 2023 semester!

January 24, 2023 by Daniela Aguilar

Filed Under: Features

MCL Feature: My Love Letter to Stevenson Library

January 17, 2023 by Santana Spearman

Hi, my name is Santana, and I am a Stevenson Library enthusiast. Here is a piece showing my love for my most adored study spot on campus.

Dear Stevenson Library,

Throughout my first semester at Vanderbilt, you are the building I’ve become the most attached to. You should know that I have tried other libraries and study spots, but for some reason, I’m always drawn back to you. I’m not sure if its the overwhelming sense of productivity you make me feel, your peaceful silence that propels me into a perfect focus, or your highly academic environment that makes my cognitive function go crazy… whatever it is, you are irresistible. I can’t picture my Vanderbilt experience without you. I need you. There’s this intense and emotional connection I feel between the two of us, which is why I’m able to spend hours studying in your presence. While some might be unsettled by your “bit too serious” nature, I am instantly submerged in a studious and scholastic state of mind once I walk through your doors. You manage to complement my study aesthetic perfectly: your glass windows bath my study materials in the warm sunlight, making my homework seem inviting instead of annoying. Your light brown tables create the perfect color contrast with my bright blue Hydroflask and mint green iPad case. As you can see, I am obsessed with every bit of you.

love, Santana

Filed Under: Features

MCL Top 5: Restaurants I’ve Been to in Nashville

January 17, 2023 by Alice Huh

What joy is a college student to (legally) find in life except eating good food? Kidding. But in all seriousness, I quite enjoy going out to find yummy things to eat, and I’m sure you do too! (At least, I’d assume so since you’re reading this feature.) To celebrate this commonality, I’ve compiled a list of my top 5 favorite restaurants in town so that you can also enjoy some great meals!

Note: I did my best to make sure that all of these restaurants would be accessible to most people. Some of the places are a bit far, but they’re all either bus-able or walkable locations. Additionally, in case you’re concerned that you might’ve searched the wrong place, I’ve linked the Google Maps URLs to the headings. No need to worry about any transportation expenses or location mix-ups!

Now without further ado, here are the top five restaurants I’ve been to around Nashville!

5. Black Dynasty Secret Ramen House

They were not lying about it being a secret ramen house. I actually ran into another group of people who were looking for the place in the middle of my search. Turns out the big secret is that it’s located inside the Bearded Iris brewery—now that you know, you hopefully won’t suffer in the cold as I did! Once I finally got inside, though, I had a pretty good experience. I got the miso tonkatsu ramen, which you can see pictured above. The broth was flavorful, albeit a bit salty for my taste (nothing a cup of hot water can’t fix), and the noodles had a pleasantly chewy texture to them. As for the miso caramel banana pudding, it reminded me a bit of crème brûlée! No funky miso flavor. On top of all that, the interior is really interesting, and has a nice ambience. My only gripe with the restaurant is that everything is definitely on the pricier side, but it’s a great place to visit occasionally when you’re craving a good bowl of ramen. (Advice for easing the burden on your wallet: 20% gratuity is automatically included when you order, so don’t feel pressured to tip again!)

4. Meet Noodles

Can you tell I really like noodles? Well, I do. I promise the rest of this list won’t just be noodle restaurants, though. Meet Noodles was my go-to comfort restaurant last semester, meaning I probably spent half of my meal money there. The combination of a sub-10 minute walking distance + warm Asian food is dangerous(ly enticing). They offer a great selection of Chinese noodle dishes, and I’ve never once been disappointed by anything I’ve ordered. For the indecisive folks out there, my usual order is the Shanxi sliced noodles (pictured above). I won’t go into detail about the dishes since I’ve realized that food descriptions are not my strong suit, but I’ll say this much: it’s good stuff!

3. Sitar Indian Cuisine

Something tells me that a lot of people already know about this restaurant (and the previous one for that matter), but here it is anyways! Due to my overwhelming love for rice and shrimp, I’ll admit that I haven’t tried as many things from Sitar as I have at some other places on this list. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve eaten, though! I unfortunately can’t comment on the dine-in experience, as I’ve always gotten my food to-go (sat down at a table just to get the photo lol); however, I can at least attest to the fact that they have some pretty speedy service. Overall, I’ve had a great experience, and I’ll definitely be back once I start craving shrimp biryani again.

2. OSH Restaurant & Grill

No, the duplicate photos are not a glitch. It was just the best way I could think to make sure that the image wouldn’t show up huge on everybody’s screens (so please bear with me).

I don’t think I’d ever been to an Uzbek restaurant before OSH, but boy did it set the bar high. To start off, the dinnerware is so pretty. Perhaps I’m just used to food being served on plain plates, but the matching plates, cups, and teapots felt fun and fancy to me. As for the food, all the dishes I tried over the course of my two visits were so good that writing about it is making my mouth water. I particularly enjoyed the lagman (oops that’s another noodle dish) and lamb kebab. The latter especially surprised me with how tender it was. But seriously, wow. I’m going to stop typing now so that I can think of other things that won’t make me unbearably hungry.

1. The Boba Bar

Last but not least is The Boba Bar! For everybody thinking, Wait, but that’s not a restaurant!, I’d have to agree. That being said, I really love the place (the I’ve-been-three-times-in-this-past-week-and-the-staff-remember-my-face-and-I-dream-of-their-boba-when-I-go-back-home-for-break kind of love), so I don’t care! The decor, the music, the drinks—it’s all just *chef’s kiss*. I’ve made it about a quarter of the way through the menu so far, and my favorite definitely has to be the brown sugar boba. Honorable mentions go to the peach yakult and the korean strawberry milk. Everything I’ve had has been really good, so I’m very excited to try more of their drinks.

That’s all I’ve got for now, but if you’ve got any suggestions for more restaurants I can visit, email them to mycommonslife@gmail.com! I’d love to explore some new places (provided they aren’t too expensive). Happy eating everybody!

Filed Under: Features, MCL Top Five Tagged With: Alice Huh, Food, mcl, Nashville, restaurant review, Top 5, vanderbilt university

My Top 5: Events to Look Forward to this Semester

January 17, 2023 by Esme Adotey

Welcome back! New year, new you, AND new events to look forward to (tehehe see what I did there). If you’re anything like me and want to set events in your calendar months in advance, this article is for you. I’m sure a lot of you were sad that you missed out on some amazing performances and events, so here are my top 5 spring semester events that I am looking forward to! 

  1. Harambee

ASU hosts the famous event known as Harambee! This even includes cultural dances, traditional fashion shows, and plays. With a wide variety of performances, best be sure that I am already thinking about where I am going to sit!

  1. Lunar New Year Festival (LNYF)

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, the Asian American Student Association presents our annual Lunar New Year Festival! This year’s LNYF will feature over 350 student performers and 20 different acts. I remember watching Tinkling at Spotlight and was mesmerized. Be there or be squared.

  1. Vivid Dance Battle

If you enjoyed the VIVID showcase last semester, just WAIT until this semester. This time around, there will be more groups and more songs. If you enjoy K-pop and even if you don’t it will be a fun night! (also I may or may not be involved in this one hehe) 

  1. Commons Ball 

Ah yes, a night to dress fancy. You know I’ve had a dress in my closet that has been collecting dust and now I have the perfect opportunity to use it. Also, don’t forget your masks and keep the night mysterious! It will be like our own Another Cinderella Story!

  1. BSA: The Black Affair

Another opportunity to dress to impress. All who like dressing up say, “I.”

If you would like to know about these events, stay tuned on MCL for more information, or head to anchor link for more details!

Filed Under: Features, MCL Top Five

How to Winterize your Dorm Room

December 6, 2022 by Santana Spearman

We’ve officially reached December! Here are some ways to decorate your dorm to make that winter chill a little more warm…

Make a “hot chocolate station”

Designate a small area of your dorm, your desk, a windowsill, whatever… and assemble hot chocolate packets, a few mugs, marshmallows, and candy canes! Have fun decorating and making your setup cute and cool for immaculate winter vibes!

Make a “Candy Cane” Jar

This dorm accent is super simple: just put some candy canes in a mason jar! You can put it on your desk as a minty snack while studying or display it elsewhere.

Decorate with holiday-themed lights

Adding lights are another super easy way to enhance the mood and look of your dorm instantly. Especially with a cute winter color scheme and some warm lighting… you’ve got yourself one cozy winter dorm.

Display your winter-themed mug

I love holiday mugs! Another little decoration to put on your desk.

Invest in an extra cozy and warm blanket

An essential for escaping the cold to snuggle up nice and warm in your bed!

Add some winter-themed pillows

A nice cozy touch for some additional comfort 🙂

Hang some winter-themed Posters

I love me some good wall decor, especially seasonal posters!

Filed Under: Features

MCL Quiz: Which Holiday Stocking Are You?

December 6, 2022 by CommonsAdmin

Are you traditional, quirky, or fun, and will it be filled with goodies or lumps of coal? Take this fun and stress relieving quiz to find out.

Filed Under: Features

MCL Top 5: Christmas Songs to Add to Your Playlist

November 29, 2022 by CommonsAdmin

‘Tis the season to break out the tinsel and those textbooks, amirite?!?!?! While you are seeking the motivation to start studying for finals next week, maybe get the ball rolling with some festive jingles. In fact, we have some song suggestions. Some of you may have heard of these bangers before and some of you haven’t. We want to promote the talents of some lesser-known singers and the lesser-known songs of some relatively-famous people, so STEP ASIDE MARIAH CAREY!

1. Feliz Navidad by Walk Off the Earth

This Canadian indie pop band released an acoustic version of this Spanish classic! The music video is quirky, cute, and one-of-a-kind. The five of them are gathered around a guitar, either plucking strings, drumming on the base of the guitar, tuning the instrument, or holding it up. The absence of electrical amplification, the harmonies, and snappiness make the tune something to salsa to!

2. Winter Wonderland by Blanca

Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Blanca showcases her pipes and playfulness with this R&B spin on the Christmas classic. She really gets your shoulders rolling and feet shuffling. Go show this girl some love and check out this song!

3. Thank God It’s Christmas by Queen

The famous rock band Queen has a lot of hits, but not many know about their one Christmas song. Freddie Mercury’s ever-so-iconic dramatic flair and the slow pace of the instrumentals make this song a classic. We haven’t the slightest idea why this track isn’t more popular.

4. The Very First Christmas by Spongebob Squarepants (and the rest of the Bikini Bottom gang)

If you don’t know this song, we’re concerned for your mental and emotional well-being. The classic cartoon characters from our favorite underwater fictional world sing a silly, yet catchy Christmas carol, complete with Spongebob and Patrick’s cheer, Squidward’s pessimism, and Mr. Krabs’s falsetto.

5. Cheetah-licious Christmas by the Cheetah Girls

The *arguably* greatest girl group of the twenty-first century dropped one Christmas album and dipped. This track is sooooo GOOD. After reading this article, it is absolutely necessary that you listen to this song. Our words alone can not even begin to even introduce the reasoning behind this tune’s greatness. You’re just going to have to listen to it yourself.

We’re so honored to have been able to introduce all the My Commons Life fans to these slept-on masterpieces of Christmas music. We hope that by adding these five songs to your Christmas playlist that THIS CHRISTMAS, will be, a very special CHRISTMAS, for YOUUUUUUU.

Filed Under: Features

MCL Quiz: What Christmas Tradition Are You?

November 29, 2022 by Esme Adotey

Filed Under: Features

MCL Quiz: How Well Do You Know These Christmas Movie Favorites?

November 29, 2022 by CommonsAdmin

There’s nothing like a classic holiday movie to get you into the spirit, and this quiz will test your knowledge of some of the best seasonal films of all time.

Filed Under: Features

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